Wounded Healer Spiritual Direction

A Journey On The Road Less Travelled

Introduction To Spiritual Care'Direction & Counselling'

As you stand at the CrossRoads of Life and look to determine which way you should travel; ask which paths are the old, reliable paths, ask which way leads to happiness, health, prosperity and great inner peace. Live that way, and find a resting place for your spirit. Jeremiah 6:16

What Is Spiritual Direction?The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of a person’s life, to get behind the façade of conventional gestures and attitudes which one presents to the world, and to bring out one’s inner spiritual freedom, one’s innermost truth, which is what Christians call the likeness of Christ in one’s soul. Thomas Merton, Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky

What Is Spiritual Counselling verses Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Counselling is designed to help you work on thoughts, emotions and behaviours that impact your life and relationships. You may explore your past to see how it has influenced who you are today. Spiritual Counselling may be problem-solving, goal-oriented and, at times, confrontational. If you need to dig into a personal problem in your life, Spiritual Counselling is exactly what you need. Spiritual Counselling is often initiated by a crisis, Spiritual Direction can be engaged at any time of life. Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Counselling both focus on how God is present and active in a given situation.

At the CrossRoads of life, we face many moral, mental, physical
and spiritual issues which cannot easily be resolved alone.

Spiritual Counselling provides you with a
safe, non-judgmental environment in which you can explore your perceptions, feelings
and beliefs as you become attentive to the presence, action, and movements of God in your ordinary human experiences. As an individual, you gain a deeper awareness of yourself as you walk with God. As a couple,
you can explore the challenging dynamics of your relationship/marriage in the paradox of flesh and spirit.

Spiritual Direction enables you to
identify the underlying spiritual issues that hold you back, opening doors for you to go
through in areas of personal growth and interpersonal relationships. To listen with your heart to God's voice as he speaks to you by his Spirit
and to respond to God's personal communication, and then to grow in intimacy with God while living out the consequences of this relationship with God.

I have learned the art of being content in every situation.Paul of Tarsus - from his letter to Philippi 4:11.

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Spiritual Care Services

How Does It Work?

There are two ways I journey with people: Face to Face and Distance (see below). Each journey is predetermined during our initial consultation. Usually we will meet once a month for 60-90 minutes. There are times when I have met with people once a week. . There is no right or wrong regarding schedule, each person has specific wants and different requirements.

Spiritual Direction & Counselling Face To Face

There are several ways to meet for discussion. We can meet in my private office, coffee shop, park or on a long walk embraced by God's creation. There really are no hard and fast rules. Everything depends on you, your level of comfort and need. Sometimes confidentiality is most important, other times not so much. We can talk about what is best for you.

Distance Support

Distance spiritual care can be helpful and effective. Spiritual Direction via distance can assist you to better understand yourself, give you insight to address issues you encounter, connect you deeper in your faith and generally give you a greater sense of direction for your life's journey. Spiritual Direction is offered via the options below:

Spiritual Direction via Skype (Video & Voice)

Generally, Skype-to-Skype calling is encrypted and it's free. For best results, download the most recent version of Skype. If you do not have a Skype account - set up an account and inform me of your Skype call username. I will confirm your session via email and provide you with my Skype username once the payment (and Engagement Agreement Form) is received. I will call you via Skype at the scheduled time. Please ensure you are online at least five minutes prior to session start, alone (unless for a couples’ session), in a quiet room with door closed, phone/cell phone in "OFF" or muted setting. For best Skype picture and audio quality, ensure a hardwired connection (via LAN cable) if possible, rather than a wireless connection.

Spiritual Direction Via Telephone

I will confirm the appointment via email once the payment (and Engagement Agreement) is received. I will telephone you at the number indicated on your completed Engagement Agreement at the scheduled appointment time. Please ensure you are near the telephone, alone in a quiet room with the door closed at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time.

Consultation, Appointment & Payment Set up

How Does It Work?

First, contact me at 250-248-0316 or request a free consultation with the form below for a brief conversation to determine if Spiritual Direction is right for you.

Second, after the consultation set up a tentative appointment. You will then be directed to complete the required On-Line Engagement Agreement.

Third, pre-payment is required for all distance sessions. This can be done via our PayPal link or E-Transfer.
Cancellation or re-schedule with less than 48-hour notification will be assessed as a full-session fee. If a scheduled appointment is not paid 48 hours prior to the session, the session will be cancelled.

You can request the Free 15 Minute Consultation, simply complete the form below.

*indicates required field

First Name:*

Last Name:*

Email:*

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Telephone number:*

Desired appointment date:

Desired appointment time:Note: Pacific Standard Time

If this time & date is unavailable, what other time & date would work for you?

Thank you for booking your consultation with me. I will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. I will do my best to schedule the consultation according to your desired date and time.

Additional Information

Please note that Distance Spiritual Direction is not appropriate if you are:

Presently experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse;

Having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else; or

Actively Addicted to alcohol or drugs (However, support after rehab may be possible).

If you are experiencing any of the above, please speak with your medical doctor or make an appointment to speak face-to-face with a counsellor or other mental health professional.

Distance Spiritual Direction with Dr. Brick Saunderson is currently limited to residents of North America (Canada & USA).

Below is the link to the Engagement Agreement for Spiritual Direction. Once you have contacted me by phone and set up a tentative appointment, you will be requested to complete and submit the Engagement Agreement on-line. Please complete and submit the Engagement Agreement only after the appointment has been tentatively made. This Engagement Agreement is part one of your appointment confirmation.

Requested Donation for Spiritual Direction/Counselling is $65.00 per Session and can be made via PayPal - payment is part two of your appointment confirmation. This is to be paid only after the appointment has been tentatively made. Payment can also be made by E-Transfer if you prefer.[?]

Because I am semi-retired, I work on a Donation Only basis and often "Pro bono publico" - However, there are specific guidelines which I follow for new Directees - please contact me to discuss your needs and reasons for support to determine if I can support your journey.

Pro bono publico (English: for the public good; usually shortened to pro bono) is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced compensation as a public service.

Spiritual Counselling & Relationship Support

We are all spiritual beings having a human experienceAs a Transpersonal Counsellor I interface counselling and spiritual experience. Transpersonal Counselling is a field of psychology which integrates psychological concepts, theories and methods with the clients beliefs, precepts and practices of the spiritual disciplines. Wounded Healer is concerned with the development of healthy Individuals and Relationships with integrity, which includes all aspects of the body, mind and spirit. This viewpoint acknowledges that behind the masks and roles of one's conditioned personality in the world lies a deeper state of being that transcends individual identity. This recognizes the spiritual self that lies beneath layers of old habits, unworthy feelings that one has lived with for years, as well as, old patterns and beliefs that may be harmful to a person’s/couple's well being or deep hurts, losses or grief that has become a barrier for growth..As a Registered Therapist (RCCH #0702-062846) I only do Face To Face for in depth Spiritual Counselling, Couples Relationship Counselling Support and Pre-Marital Counselling Support.

Sometimes we reach a crossroad and simply get stuck, unable to determine which direction to take on the road of life. As the Proverb says, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but with wise counsel they are established." Psychology literally means, "Study of the Soul" - when people are in distress, they are "soul-sick." At the Wounded Healer there are skilled "Soul-Helpers".

Statement of Belief

There are several statements held by Christianity which express what I believe; such as the Apostles Creed. But I like simple. A song writer named Marc Nelson simply wrote: I believe in Jesus. I believe he is the Son of God. I believe he died and rose again. I believe he paid for us all. And I believe he is here now, standing in our midst, with the power to heal and the grace to forgive.

The art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Henry Ellis.

Meet The Spiritual Director

In Brief

Brick at 40 years of age experienced a charismatic conversion to Christ in 1984 (at the Vancouver Christian Life Centre). He was ordained in the Parkdale Neighbourhood Church, Toronto Ontario in 1989 (BCOQ/CBWC). He returned to British Columbia in 1990 and has served in various churches (both denominational and non-denominational) including serving as an RCMP chaplain for 3 years. Now in his 70's, he simply walks beside people sharing their experience of Christ in us (the hope of glory- Col 1:27).For credentials: He has a BA in Urban Studies from York University, Master of Divinity from Regent College and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. He also has a Diploma in Counselling and Family Ministry from The Counselling Group, and a BUILD Certificate in Cross-Cultural Counselling/Ministry from BCOQ/MacMasters Divinity College and an Examination Award for Counselling Practice from the Counsellor Training Institute. Brick also has Mastery Coach Certification from the School of Coaching Mastery. He is a member of Spiritual Directors International (#52541) and a Registered Therapist (RCCH #0702-062846). He bring over 30 years of Pastoral Counselling experience into Spiritual Direction.

Brick provides both Face-to-Face and Distance Spiritual Direction as well as Relationship Support Ministry.

we are all spiritual beings having a human experience.Teilhard de Chardin

About Wounded Healer

Paul of Tarsus writes in his Second letter to Corinth 11:23-27- "(I've) been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jewish leaders forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten by Roman Officials with clubs, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day adrift on the open sea, Because I travel constantly. I have been in danger from raging rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from persecutors; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false friends. I have laboured and struggled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been without proper clothes in cold weather."

Scott Peck writes in The Road Less Travelled as he searches for truth- "Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."

The above sets in truth the human dilemma, the paradox between being human and yet spiritual beings. For over 30 years of pastoral counselling and spiritual direction some of the questions asked are: "Where is God in the midst of my life - my confusion - my struggle - my hurt - my loss and grief?" "How can I experience God in life's transitions?" "How can I know God in a much deeper way?"

The truth is, I don't know why horrible things happen to seemingly innocent people. Life is a mystery that I've given up trying to unravel. Perhaps, we as spiritual beings having this human experience have soul contracts that require us to go through certain life ordeals in order to grow deeper in faith, in order to become One with the suffering of Christ. Perhaps things are as they should be on some plane we can't possibly understand.

What I do know is that Jesus in John 15:5 says; "Apart from me you can do nothing" and Paul in his letter to Philippi 4:13 says; "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.", then adds "Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles."

Wounded Healer is me and you - us! Walking together to discern what God is saying to your heart. It is learning to pray with intention. It is learning to dive deep into the living water, to believe that God by His Spirit will never leave or forsake you in the hour of your deepest need. Spiritual Direction means you are never alone as you search with faith for truth. Spiritual Direction is having someone there, to share in your journey of life. As Proverb 15:22 says, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but with wise counsel they are established.."